Robin Eley Depicts Subjects Draped in Translucent Materials

There's a lot that can be said about these impressive Robin Eley paintings. Some viewers will naturally point out how flawless Eley is at executing a hyperrealist art style. Others may even remark about the physical beauty of his subjects and how they effortlessly keep audiences’ eyes glued to the paintings. But perhaps the most distinguishing quality about Eley’s work is that he renders males and females draped in translucent plastic materials. Peculiar, no?

It’s unclear thematically as to why Robin Eley blankets the models in his paintings, but the folds, creases and reflected glares of the plastic sheets help elevate the aesthetic beauty of each composition. It provides much needed visual contrast, juxtaposing the smooth skin of the subjects with the plastics' own sharp and crisp lines. Its inclusion is simply ingenious.